Safe handling of chemicals

Working to prevent risks can turn out to be a good strategy. According to the
Swedish Work Environment Authority*, during 2014 over 1,000 work injuries
were caused by chemical/biological substances.

Illness among the staff increases the costs for an organisation. When the
Swedish Work Environment Authority conducted a project in 2003 and checked
1,800 workplaces, they found that two out of three were deficient in their
chemical checks. This is an alarmingly high proportion. Also, accidents in
which chemicals are leaked into the environment can have considerable
consequences for a company, not least of which is that they lose trust capital.

Here are some ground rules that can be useful to have while at work to ensure
safe handling of chemicals:

 Keep track of which chemicals are being used in the business. Keep a list of the
substances, the amounts being used and the risks associated with them. You can
read more in Taking inventory.
 This also applies to gathering information and distributing it to those who need
it. Current safety data sheets are one condition. Read more in Safety data sheets.
There may be a need for special instructions and training to assure safe
handling. Read more in Responsibility and training. To understand the risks it is
often necessary to carry out an overall risk analysis. In the introduction Risk
analysis there is more to read about this.
 Storing and using chemicals in a safe way is a further foundation for working
with chemicals. This introduction deals with this.
 In continuing risk reduction work it is necessary to decide whether a particular
chemical is really needed. In many cases there can be another substance that is
less hazardous to health and the environment, or perhaps a different method, see
more under substitution. Purchasing of chemical substances therefore requires
special procedures, read more in Purchasing.

Things to remember when storing, labelling, handling and personal hygiene

Storage

 All chemical products must be stored and labelled in accordance with the
instructions on the safety sheet.
 Chemicals must not be stored together with inflammable material and gas
cylinders.
 Do not store acids and alkalis together.
 Do not store strong acids and organic substances together.
 Do not store strongly oxidising substances together with oxidisable substances.
 Ethers and other peroxide-building substances must be stored in the dark and
cool, in tightly sealed containers.
 Chemical containers must be stored with closed lids when they are not being
used.
 Refrigerators and freezers for storage of chemicals must be of such a type that is
specially made for this purpose. Chemicals and similar items must not be stored
in refrigerators or freezers that are intended to store food.
 Chemical stores must not have open floor drains. If there is a floor drain, it must
be equipped with protection to prevent leakage. This means for example tight
fitting lids, a manual opening and closing function in the drain or other
comparable arrangement.
 Equipment for handling and cleaning up spillage must be in readiness and
suitable for the chemicals that are stored. It is suitable to have equipment placed
outside the chemical store.
 It is important for the fire classification of storage lockers and rooms to match
the types and amounts of chemicals stored therein.
 Combustible material must be stored in fireproof cupboards or in separate
spaces.

Labelling

 Chemicals must normally be stored in their original packaging. If you need

smaller amounts of a chemical, the new packaging must be suitable for the
substance. Labelling must be in accordance with the original packaging. It must
always be possible to know what substance the packaging contains and what
risks there may be.

Handling of chemicals

 Always read the safety data sheet and the text on the packaging carefully when
you are about to use a product with which you are not completely familiar with
the risks. Contact the environmental co-ordinator if you are unsure about
handling methods.
 Use personal protection equipment (e.g. gloves, face mask) where necessary.
 Surplus chemicals and hazardous waste must be dealt with in accordance with
the information in the safety data sheet.
 First Aid equipment must be available.
 Workplaces must be cleaned regularly. There must not be chemical spills on the
floor.

Personal hygiene
 Smoking is forbidden in the factory area outside specially assigned smoking
areas. If you smoke, remember to wash your hands before lighting up a
cigarette. Otherwise chemical substances can be transferred by skin contact or
breathed in.
 Immediately wash off chemical traces from the skin. Read the safety data sheet
or ask your immediate superior if you are not sure what needs to be done.
 Food products must not be stored or eaten in premises where chemicals are
handled.
 Work clothes must be kept clean. If you have been in contact with chemicals,
take a shower before you go home.

Some rules concerning handling chemicals

 In accordance with the product choice or substitution principle such chemicals

that can be replaced by those that are less hazardous should be avoided (The
Environmental Code part 2 section 4§).
 Chemical products that are hazardous to health or are inflammable must be
listed. (The National Swedish Board of Occupational Safety and Health
regulations (2000:4) concerning Chemical risks to the working environment).
 There must be a safety data sheet for every chemical products that is hazardous
to health or environment or is inflammable. (Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of
the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning
 the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals
(REACH), article 31.)
 The risks associated with the use of chemicals must be continuously examined,
assessed and minimised, in accordance with the Ordinance (1998:901) on
operator's control. Refer also to operator's control in the Environmental Code
(part 26 section 19 §). The results must be documented. The regulations apply
to permit and notification requirements in the case of environmentally
hazardous activities.

* Arbetsskador 2014. Arbetsmiljöstatistik Rapport 2015:1. Arbetsmiljöverket.

Latest update: 2016-08-18

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